Expats seek NRI tax proposal withdrawal

Manama, November 28, 2011

A global organisation of expatriate Indians has called on New Delhi to withdraw a proposal to impose tax on non-resident Indians (NRIs) who stay beyond 60 days during a visit to the country.

'It will be detrimental to the interests of NRIs who contribute substantially to the country's development,' Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (Gopio) said in a statement.

It was released after a Gopio meeting in New Jersey, the US, where Sunny Kulathakal from Bahrain was elected executive vice-president of the organisation for two years.

He is the first Indian expatriate from the region to be elected to the position.

Gopio is the world's largest group of Indians living abroad.

At the meeting several resolutions to protect the interests of the Indian community were passed.

Gopio also urged the Indian government to set up a mechanism to enable NRIs to voice their grievances and prevent adverse government policies.

Resolutions included plea for nomination of a few prominent NRIs to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of parliament) and initiation of steps to set up fast-track courts to deal with the growing number of property offences targeting NRIs.

The meeting also called for speedy disposal of cases involving custody of children of NRI parents.

Gopio also urged the government to increase staff at consulates for the convenience of NRIs.

The meeting resolved to identify and designate a single date that can be called International Indian Emigration Day.

Welcoming the setting up of Global Advisory Council, Gopio requested the government to give representation to Indian community organisations in the council.

The meeting also resolved to extend all support to the Know India Programme.

It is initiated by the government and wants a Gopio-Pravasi member committee to be set up to start the programme.

'More and more job-seekers from India are falling prey to unscrupulous elements abroad,' Gopio said.

The organisation urged the government to take suitable steps for the rehabilitation of such victims.

Gopio also thanked Bahrain for taking prompt action to protect the Indian community during the unrest.-TradeArabia News Service